Faithfully Yours

Membership Newsletter December 2015

Faith Lutheran Church
Rev. David Johnson, Pastor
Church (906) 486-9083, Parsonage (906) 204-2401, faithlutheran@faithinishpeming.com

The Christmas Wish

Silence. Thats what he was used to.
Silence at home, silence on the bus, silence at
school; his world was silent. Its not like it was
on purpose; not one person really knew what to
say, so they said nothing. Seans world became
one of silence, and even though his family was
now laid to rest in the grave, the rest of the
world went on as if he didnt exist. Its not
because they wanted him to feel alone, they
were just so afraid of saying or doing the wrong
thing that they left him alone. How do you sit
with a boy who lost his family without making
it hurt?
It wasnt always like this. Sean may
have been an only child, but his world was
anything but silent. His mom and dad wanted to
make sure he was involved in as many things as
he could. There was football, basketball, track,
band, choir, doing volunteer work, and going to
school, oh, and there was hockey too. When he
wasnt doing that he was hanging out with
friends, doing homework, or doing his daily
chores (at least when mom or dad badgered him
enough to actually do them). If he could just
hear their voices again. Break the silence and
make things go back to the way they once were.
For a moment he thought he heard that
familiar sound, Sean, get down here and
Then it was gone. Just like everything
else, it had become a fleeting moment. Just like
the accident. It was time for hockey practice,
and as usual they were running late. Sean,

hurry up, youre going to be late again!

I just need to get my gear and we can get
outta here.
This would be the last conversation that
Sean would remember having with his family. It
had snowed enough to make the roads slick.
One car ahead stopping too fast and slick roads
brought silence into Seans life. This led to his
wish. For Christmas, all he wanted was for the
silence to end. Sure, it was a simple wish, but it
was the very thing that helped carry him through
to Christmas; this hope that the silence in his life
would come to an end.
It wasnt that hard getting used to living
in his uncles house who he had only seen on
special occasions. The part that Sean had trouble
getting used to the most was the silence. Sure
his uncle was hurting; he lost a close brother
after all, but he wouldnt even look at Sean.
What Sean didnt know that the same fear that
kept everyone so distant is the same fear his
uncle was experiencing. Christmas Eve night
came just a few short weeks later. Nothing had
changed, but Sean was still looking forward to
the silence being broken.
Im going to church
The words caught him off guard as much
as it did his uncle. Was that really his voice? It
was the first time he had spoken since the
accident; since his world was plunged into
silence. No time to dwell on it now, he opened
the door and listened for the click as the door
latched behind him. The church was just down

From the Pastors Desk cont...

the road and he heard the bells of the church ringing
as they announced the start of the Christmas Eve
service. He was late!
Sean started running, he didnt want to be
late for church; not for this service anyways. He
didnt know why, but he knew he needed to be
there. As he ran and listened to his feet hit the
pavement, it hit him that the last time he was
running late was only a few weeks ago. That night
when the silence entered in.
He stopped. He couldnt hold back
the tears and his sobs echoed in that silent night, on
a dark sidewalk a block away from church. Sean
knew he had to get there, even if he was late.
When Sean got to the church, he opened the
doors and saw something that struck him; darkness
and silence. There was a whole room filled with
people waiting in darkness; waiting in silence. Then
one little flicker came into view as he worked his
way towards an empty pew. It was light. Light
from a candle. And soon that light was passed on

from one person to another until that once dark

room was filled with light! Could it be?
He didnt notice anyone next to him, but as
the room got brighter he saw a hand reaching out
to him to give him a candle. The moment Sean
grabbed the candle, music played and the church
broke out in singing Silent Night. Silence was
broken, darkness was gone, and the entire church
was singing a song about life coming into his
world to break the silence. Once the song was
over, the lights came on, and the music played
even louder, Joy to the World was erupting
and echoing and killing the silence.
Here on Christmas Eve night, Sean
experienced a God who entered into his world of
silence; who entered into the darkest places of his
soul and brought forth light, life, and an end to the
silence that he had so longed for; that he had
wished for. May you share this light with others
this Christmas season and always.

Merry Christmas, Pastor Dave

Faith Lutheran Church Council

Jeff SwansonPresident
2015
Victor Cox Vice President
Judy SwansonSecretary
Norma Denney
Nancy Harmala

Mission Statement
It shall be the mission of Faith Lutheran
Church of Ishpeming to develop,
strengthen, and share witness to the
message of the Gospel; through an
increased understanding of our ministry,
and our daily living, both individually and
as a congregation.

Committee Liaisons
The Church Council members serving as
Committee Liaisons for 2015:

Mutual Ministry - Dave Magnuson

Finance - Ross Carlson
Worship / Music & Altar Guild - Victor Cox
Property Furnishings - Jeff Swanson/Vic Cox
Fellowship / Evangelism - Nancy Harmala
Share & Care - Judy Swanson
Stewardship - Dave Magnuson
Thrivent - None at this time
Youth & Christian Education - None

Date of Next Council Meeting:

Tuesday, December 8, 2015
6:30pm8:30pm, Pine Room
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CHRISTMAS AT
FAITH LUTHERAN
DECEMBER OUTREACH
We are doing our Christmas Dinner
Baskets again this year. Please view the
chart located in the Fellowship Hall, and
sign the board for any of the listed food
and supply items.

Christmas Eve Service

7:00 pm
Join us for Midweek ADVENT BOOK STUDY
The book well be using is called Simply Wait:
Cultivating Stillness in the Season of Advent.
Wednesday afternoons (12/26, 12/23, 01/06 &
01/13) from 2:00pm 3:00pm. Sign up sheet in
the Fellowship Hall.

The ten baskets will be delivered to ten

deserving families in our area. No names
are released only the sponsor will know
who the recipient is.
Also, we have some baskets available if
you know of anyone who could use a gift
of food for Christmas. Please call Helen
Frederickson at 486
9666 to reserve
a basket.

Angel TreeA Christmas tree decorated with paper

ornaments is in the narthex this month. These ornaments list gifts
deserving children and adults wish to receive for Christmas. Faith has
adopted two families this Christmas and we need your help to make
their Christmas a little brighter!
Angel Tree Instructions: Be an Angel and make someones Christmas
wonderful . Select a tag with a paper ornament attached. Wrap the item
you purchase and attached the paper ornament. Bring your wrapped gift
back to Church by Sunday, December 13, and place it under the narthex
Christmas Tree! Questions, please see Marilee Koval.

Merry Christmas!
Christmas PoinsettiasSign up sheets are in the narthex and in the
Fellowship Hall. This year our cost is $8.00 per Poinsettia. Last day to signup is Thursday, December 10th. On the sign-up sheet, put in your name and
who the plant is given in memory or honor of. Blue Poinsettias have been
donated in loving memory of all our loved ones from Faith Lutheran
congregation that have passed.
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Mitchel Ahola
Kaleb Smith
William Brewer
Steven Racine
Ryan Argilan
Melissa Harmala
Noah Penrose
Jesse Pietro
Michael Elenich
Wayne Helsten
Jacob Richards
Joshua Richards
Jacob Kaare
Daniel Irish
Elizabeth Williams
Mariah Bertucci
Jack Goldsworthy
David Helsten
Cody Magnuson
Michael Cox

12/2
12/4
12/4
12/4
12/5
12/6
12/7
12/8
12/9
12/9
12/9
12/9
12/10
12/11
12/11
12/12
12/12
12/12
12/12
12/14

Jack and Pam Juntila

Karen and James Marshall II
Christine and Kurt Alto
Victor and Carol Cox
Susan and John Hamel
Daniel and Lois Poirier

Billy Helsten
Jason Kaare
Sandra Ostola
Kelly Penrose
David Johnson
Abagail Lake
Roy Anderson
Lisa Westman
Joseph Garceau
Roger T. Pietro
Kenneth Blau
Don Darga
Daniel Dobson
Jane Hebert
Robert Helsten
Tracy Rogers
Gerald Kippola
Vicky Jo Racine
Melissa Heikkila

12/15
12/15
12/16
12/16
12/18
12/20
12/21
12/26
12/27
12/27
12/28
12/29
12/29
12/29
12/29
12/29
12/30
12/30
12/31

Dec 3
Dec 12
Dec 17
Dec 22
Dec 22
Dec 27

Please report any discrepancies on this list to Ken Blau by leaving a message at 486-9083.

Faith Lutheran Church Congregation

and Pastor David,
Thank you so much for all your prayers,
wishes, and generous monetary gifts at
my recent benefit. Thank you so much
for the wonderful luncheon and to those that contributed
dishes, prep work, and clean up. Thank you also to those
that provided gifts and crafts that were also sold at the
benefit. All in All I just want to say Thank you, Thank you,
Thank you. I feel special to have so many people who love
and pray for me as I continue this difficult battle.
Sincerely, Jackie Pauls
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Keep in our
Prayers
Our home-bound and nursing
home residents:
Signe Carter - Eastwood
Mary Denney
Elmer & Shirley JuntilaValenti
Lois & Simeon Richards
Geraldine HarrisonValenti
George KoskimakiValenti

Those We Prayed for in

NOVEMBER
Jackie
Kim
Mark
Mike
Bobbie
Pastor Dave &
Famiy
Marcia
Mike
Judy
Shirley/Elmer
Lois & Simeon
Marsha
Ivan
Donna
Lorraine
Maxine
Carol
Mark
Kim
Matt
Judy

Doreen
Ivan
Dave
Lloyd
Lynn
Emma
Jake
Joan
Glenn
Liam
Kristi
Mikey
Cathy
Bob
Karen
Helen
Doreen
Melissa
Bill
Luella
Mary

Family of Donna Rosten

A huge THANK YOU goes out

to Judy, Irene, Cheryl, Lois, Lee and Marilee
for pitching in to help me fill my Christmas
Child boxes. I wouldnt have been able to
do it by myself this year.
With each box filled
it means one more special
child will be able to enjoy a
blessed Christmas. Gods
Blessings to all of you!
Appreciatively,
Marie

ALIVE
A LIVING
NATIVITY

Wednesday,
December 17
Downtown for
games, hot
chocolate, wagon
rides, fire pits,
photo booth;
followed by a
Living Nativity at
7:00pm. Come
join the festivities.
FLC Cancellation Policy
Sunday: In the event Sunday School and/or services are cancelled, a message
will be on the church answering machine by 8:00am on Sunday morning.
Telephone calls will be made to as many people as can be reached.
MondayFriday Events: In the event the NICE School District is closed due to inclement
weather, any activities scheduled for that day at church will be cancelled. A message we be
on the church answering machine by 9:00am that day.
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DECEMBER 2015
Sun

Mon

Tue
1

Wed

Thu

Fri
4

Sat
5
Mens Bible
Study 10am

Mutual Ministry
6pm

13
20

Sunday School
Christmas
Program

27

14
21
28

10

11

12

16

17

18

19 Children's

Council Meeting
7pm

15
Christmas
Basket
Work-Bee
1pm

22

Midweek Advent
Book Study
2:003:00pm

23
24
Midweek Advent
Book Study
2:003:00pm

29

Christmas
Party 1-3pm

25

Christmas Eve
Service 7pm

31

30

26

Jan 1
2016

With Thanks to Those Who Serve in December

Ushers
12/06 Debbie Kroon Jennifer Kroon
12/13 Kay and Ron Maddock
12/20 Rita Miller and Vic Cox
12/24 Karen and Ken Blau
12/27 Ward and Melissa Harmala
01/03 Marie and Ralph Keto
Lectors
12/06 Carole WAtson
12/13 Marilee Koval
12/20 Donna Kroon-Harris
12/27 Irene Kindstrand
01/03 Pat Kroon
Counters
12/06 Judy Swanson and Cheryl Salmer
12/13 Elaine Maki and Jerry Kippola
12/20 Carole Watson and Lorraine Wheeler
12/27 Norma Denney and Lois Ombrello
01/03 Debbie Kroon and Kathy Richards

Coffee Servers
12/06
12/13
12/20 Helen Fredericksen
12/27
**Volunteers needed for Coffee Servers during
Coffee Fellowshipplease sign up on the
white board in the kitchen.
Communion Servers
December
Ken Blau
If you are unable to serve on your scheduled day,
please switch with someone or contact the
following:
Irene KindstrandLectors and Ushers
Kathy MagnusonCommunion Servers
Cheryl SalmerCounters
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